Annual Giving & Communications Manager

Minnesota Council of Nonprofits; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 61,000 - 82,000; Full time

Job summary

Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery is seeking an Annual Giving & Communications Manager in Minneapolis to drive fundraising communications, donor engagement, and brand storytelling. The role blends campaign execution with content creation across direct mail, email, digital, and events to deepen donor relationships and support the Nursery’s mission.

The position requires a Bachelor’s degree in marketing/communications or related field and 3–5 years in nonprofit fundraising/communications, with

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, or related field or comparable experience.
• 3–5 years in fundraising, communications, marketing or related nonprofit field.
• Strong project management with ability to manage multiple deadlines.
• Experience with website and social media management.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute fundraising communications and annual giving programs.
• Lead donor-facing communications: direct mail, email, stewardship, annual reports.
• Create donor journeys and segment audiences to tailor messages.
• Plan direct mail, email and digital fundraising campaigns and analyze performance.
• Develop stories showing donor impact and strengthen brand messaging.
• Coordinate with vendors, ensure on-time, on-budget delivery.
• Produce donor spotlights, testimonials, program updates and impact reports.
• Manage website content, donation forms, and digital engagement tools.
• Monitor metrics and adapt campaigns based on data.

Skills

Donor communications

Storytelling

Copywriting

Editing & proofreading

Project management

Brand management

Communication

Emotional intelligence

Education

Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, or related field

Tools

Raiser’s Edge

WordPress

Adobe Creative Suite

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Constant Contact

GiveMN

Job description

Job Title: Annual Giving & Communications Manager
Department: Development & Communications
Reports to: Development & Communications Director
Supervises: None
Salary: $71,489/yr
Hours/Shifts: Fulltime; Exempt
Organization Summary: As a trusted resource for families, the Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery partners with parents to promote strong, healthy families by offering free, voluntary services for parents who face barriers such as unemployment, homelessness, medical or mental health concerns, poverty, domestic violence, or other difficult situations. We help strengthen families by connecting them to resources, caring for their children during difficult times, and setting goals that promote self-sufficiency and make the relationship between the parent and child stronger.
Position Overview: The Annual Giving & Communications Manager is a creative communications professional responsible for implementing fundraising communications and annual giving activities that support the Nursery’s fundraising and engagement goals. This role blends storytelling, campaign execution, donor engagement, and brand stewardship to deepen donor relationships and brand stewardship to deepen donor relationships-and support fundraising goals through compelling, consistent, and emotionally resonant messaging across multiple platforms.

1. Fundraising Communications Strategy and Execution

• Coordinate and implement annual and monthly giving communications and engagement activities in alignment with established fundraising goals.
• Support donor acquisition and retention efforts through targeted communications and engagement campaigns.
• Lead donor-facing communications, including direct mail, email appeals, stewardship materials, impact reports, annual reports and acknowledgment letters.
• Develop and implement communications supporting renewal, reactivation, upgrade and recurring-giving campaigns.
• Create coordinated donor journeys for first-time, recurring, renewed, upgraded and lapsed donors.
• Use donor data to segment audiences and tailor communications based on giving history, engagement, interests and potential.
• Ensure all fundraising communications are compelling, consistent and aligned with the organization’s mission and brand.

2. Campaign Management and Content Development

• Plan and coordinate direct mail, email and digital fundraising campaigns, including messaging, audience segmentation, creative coordination, production and performance analysis, in alignment with established fundraising priorities.
• Develop stories and content that demonstrate donor impact and bring the organization’s mission to life.
• Manage digital fundraising content, including email sequences, social media campaigns, campaign landing pages and online giving tools.
• Support fundraising events with promotional messaging, storytelling, design assets, scripts, programs and donor recognition materials.
• Coordinate with internal staff and external vendors to ensure campaigns are completed on time, within budget and according to brand standards.

3. Content Creation for Key Audiences

• Develop compelling, inclusive content for donors, volunteers, program participants, community partners and the public.
• Produce donor spotlights, participant testimonials, program updates, volunteer features and other mission-focused stories.
• Identify and develop stories that demonstrate impact, deepen engagement and inspire support.
• Create and manage an editorial calendar to ensure timely, coordinated content across communication channels.
• Manage photography and video projects in partnership with staff and external vendors.
• Partner with program and leadership staff to gather stories, outcomes, data, photographs and key messages.
• Ensure storytelling is respectful, strengths-based, trauma-informed and consistent with consent and privacy practices.

4. Website & Digital Engagement

• Maintain and update the organization’s website with fresh fundraising content, impact stories, and campaign landing pages.
• Design and manage user-friendly donation forms and digital engagement tools.
• Lead day-to-day digital content planning and execution in alignment with established communications priorities.
• Monitor comments, messages and engagement and coordinate timely responses with appropriate staff.

5. Creative Collateral & Brand Management

• Uphold and evolve the organization’s brand standards in all external communications.
• Design and produce visual assets for print and digital use, including flyers, brochures, social media graphics, event materials, and donor communications using tools like Adobe Creative Suite. Review and approve materials created by staff, vendors, and partners to ensure alignment with brand guidelines.

6. Media and Public Relations

• Write and distribute press releases and media advisories to promote organizational updates and events.
• Serve as liaison for media contacts and develop strategies to increase positive public exposure.

7. Internal Collaboration & Project Management

• Work closely with development, program, and leadership staff to gather stories, data, and key messaging inputs.
• Lead regular planning and content review meetings to align communication activities with organizational goals.
• Manage communications timelines and projects to ensure timely delivery of materials and campaigns.

8. Vendor Coordination & Budget Oversight

• Coordinate with external vendors (designers, printers, mail houses) to produce high-quality, on-brand materials within scope and budget.
• Track expenses related to communication campaigns and report on cost-effectiveness.

9. Monitoring, Analytics & Adaptation

• Track and report on performance metrics (e.g., open rates, click-throughs, donations, engagement) to evaluate communication effectiveness.
• Use data to refine messaging, audience targeting, and campaign strategy.

Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, or related field, or comparable experience.

Experience:

• 3-5 years of experience in professional fundraising, communications, marketing, development or a related field, with demonstrated experience developing and executing nonprofit fundraising communications or campaigns
• Strong project management experience with ability to prioritize multiple projects and deadlines.
• Experience with website and social media management

Abilities:

• Attention to detail, including proofreading and project follow-through.
• Creative problem solver; flexible and adaptable to change.
• Works collaboratively with a team in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to prepare budgets and manage resources.
• Maintains a high level of poise and professionalism in all circumstances.
• Implement and supervise volunteers to assist with special projects as needed.

Skills:

• Excellent communication and writing skills.
• Demonstrates high emotional intelligence (EQ) by effectively navigating interactions with individuals from diverse backgrounds, showing empathy, understanding, and respect for varying perspectives, and adapting communication styles to foster positive relationships and collaborative environments.
• Strong computer skills, including demonstrated experience with donor database software, Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, Adobe Design and using tools such as WordPress.
• Understanding of electronic marketing and fundraising tools such as Constant Contact, online donation pages, GiveMN.
• Skills with donor database software; knowledge of Raiser’s Edge software preferred but not required.

Organizational Expectations:

• Role model healthy, professional behavior while working with children, families, staff, volunteers, and anyone else youencounterat the Nursery.
• Communicate effectively with other staff, supervisors, and volunteers.
• Work well as part of a team to complete duties and meet agency needs.
• Value diverse economic,culturaland racial backgrounds outside of one’s own identity and experience.
• Commitment to equity and social justice.
• Must be willing to challenge one’s own perspective and experiencetobe in community while working at the Nursery.

Background Verification:

Mustpass a DHS background check and driving record check.

Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery is committed to practicing diversity, equity and inclusion as an organization, and embedding this approach in everything that we do. We welcome candidates who identify as BIPOC, LGBTQ, and people of all genders.